Stock up in Stockton

The sun rose bright and clear today after a blustery Friday so off we went to the charming little town of Stockton for a walk along the Delaware River.  We noticed the sign below and decided to investigate.

The market was small but had a wide variety of wonderful food items for sale. Everything from fresh produce to seafood was available. We bought a hot cup of organic coffee at the Coffee Scoop  and a delicious loaf of artisan whole wheat bread with raisins and walnuts at Rise Bakery.  Bucks County Cookie Company had a tempting array of baked goods and toddlers were seen devouring cups of ice cream from the oWow Cow Creamery.

After the market we went wine tasting next door at Phillip's Fine Wines and Liquors and then headed over to the Jerry Cable Studio and Art Gallery (below) to view oil paintings of rural New Jersey and Pennsylvania, midwest farmscapes and coastal Maine.

The gallery is just a few paces from the historic Stockton Inn (below) which offers fine dining, a rustic tavern and lodging.

SPRING LAKE HOLIDAY FUN

Time to put away the Thanksgiving decorations and move on to Christmas!
Need some inspiration? Tour five of

Spring Lake's Festive Inns

bedecked in their elegant holiday finery, ablaze with vintage ornaments, handcrafted heirlooms and the illusion of a Currier & Ives postcard.

Spring Lake Candlelight Christmas Inn Tour

Saturday, Dec. 5, from 3:30 to 7 p.m., $25
This year, for the first time, ticket holders will be treated to a pre-tour Victorian Tea
at the Ocean House B&B, beginning at 2:30.
For tickets and more info: 732.859.1465 or 732.449.0577
Tickets may also be purchased on the day of the tour at the Ocean House
732-449-9090
And while you're in Spring Lake, why not take in a performance of the classic Christmas tale,
Scrooge?

SCROOGE

Dec 4-19 $20- $28
Spring Lake Community House Box Office: 732.449.4530

Ho Ho Ho-Ho-Kus

Elegant Fundraiser Includes Tour of Historic Home, Buffet and Colonial-Era Entertainment

The Hermitage Museum, a historic house and education center in Ho-Ho-Kus, will hold an elegant fundraising event on Thursday, December 10, 2009, entitled “Champagne and Candlelight at The Hermitage.” The upscale evening will include a champagne reception and tour of the Gothic Revival house dressed in holiday finery along with an hors d’oeuvre buffet, entertainment and silent auction. Festivities will include a performance by the North River Colonial Dancers who will perform dances from the Colonial era and invite attendees to learn some steps.

Tickets: $50 per person
(201) 445-8311, ext. 36
335 North Franklin Turnpike
Ho-Ho-Kus
All proceeds directly benefit The Hermitage, a National Historic Landmark . Ticket purchases are tax-deductible contributions.
The deadline for reservations is December 4, 2009

ABOUT THE HERMITAGE
The Hermitage, a National Historic Landmark, is one of the nation’s outstanding examples of domestic Gothic Revival architecture. The historic house incorporates a stone structure that was visited during the Revolutionary War by George Washington and was the site where Aaron Burr met and married Theodora Prevost. The house’s architectural appearance dates to the 1847 remodeling and enlargement designed by the architect William H. Ranlett. Today, the home’s furnishings reflect the late Victorian lifestyle of the Rosencrantz family, who owned and lived in the home from 1807 to 1970. The museum collection is notable for the family’s historic clothing and personal items and papers.

Gobble Gobble

Sometimes you want to cook and sometimes YOU DON'T!!
For those of you who don't, read on for some delicious options.

Avenue
Open from 12-7pm serving a three-course, prix-fixe feast with options for traditional tastes as well as contemporary.  Scrumptious selections for appetizers, entrées, and desserts. 

Duck Confit or Lobster Macaroni Gratin
Steak au Poivre or Pan-Seared Branzino
Apple Cinnamon Crème Brulée or Apple Tart Tatin.
Children 6-12 have their own three-course menu for $22
(under 5 free)
$42.00 per person

Chef Dominique Filoni continues Avenue's Thanksgiving Meals-to-Go with choices for a small or large Roasted Whole Grain-Fed Turkey with Vegetable, Chestnut & Foie Gras Bread Stuffing, Giblet Gravy, Butternut Squash Soup, Green Beans & Almonds; Honey Glazed Pecan Pie
and so much more!
4-6 people:  $120 plus tax
8-10 people:  $180 plus tax

  To-go orders must be placed by 9.00 pm Monday, November 23; food will be ready for pickup Thanksgiving morning. 
 Call 718.636.2020, ext. 210 for menu details and to order.
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Boulevard

Chef Scott Snyder will feature Roast Organic Maple-Cured Turkey with all the trimmings.  Servings from 1-7pm.
Family-style appetizers including choice of
Sautéed Lump Crab Cakes, Apple & Endive
Salad, Pumpkin Ravioli.
Entrée selections:
Roasted Long Island Duck, Grilled Dry-Aged
Strip Steak.  Desserts are assorted traditional pastries.
$48.00 per person
An á la carte menu will also be available with choices from Shrimp Corn Chowder and Grilled Octopus & Shrimp Salad to Roast Lamb Loin with Asparagus, Goat Cheese Potato Purée and Chanterelles.
_________________________________________________________

Liberty House Restaurant

Besides Traditional Turkey Dinner, Chef Philip Campanella is offering Pan-Seared Atlantic Salmon, Grilled Rib Eye, or Cola-Glazed Ham on his prix-fixe three-course dinner.  Begin the meal with an appetizer choice of Butternut Squash Bisque or Five-Spiced Shrimp. 
And end with the Liberty House Dessert Sampler!
$45 per person (plus tax and gratuity)
1-7pm.
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Restaurant Serenade

No one will leave hungry this Thanksgiving when Chef James Laird is preparing his three-course prix-fixe menu!  Available from 2-7pm. 
Turkey with Traditional Sides is just one of the available choices.
$65 per person, $32 kids 10 and under.
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Stone House at Stirling Ridge

 Chef Jerry Villa is featuring a three-course prix-fixe menu of
traditional favorites such as Butternut Squash Soup and Turkey Dinner with family-style sides as well.  Enticing appetizers include Pumpkin Ravioli with Wild Mushrooms and Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes.
Enjoy the crackling of an oversized fireplace in which breads and pie will be warming throughout the day! 
$45 per person (plus tax and gratuity)
12-7pm

SIDE WAYS

Daylight savings has come and gone, which means Thanksgiving's right around the corner. You'd love to get into the kitchen and prepare a spectacular meal from soup to nuts, but your schedule's insane.

It's no crime to get an assist from a pro when it comes to the holidays. And thanks to Chef Loryn's Café & Catering in Madison, help is on the way. You make the bird, they'll take care of sides and dessert.

From Herb Stuffing with Sausage ($7.99/lb.) or Fresh Oyster Stuffing ($9.99/lb.) to Creamed Spinach ($6.99/lb.), Sweet Potatoes with or without Marshmallows ($7.99/lb.) and Pumpkin Pie ($10.99 each), Chef Loryn Dagon makes Thanksgiving dining simple, scrumptious, and a heckuva lot easier.

Housed in a cheery storefront on Main Street, Chef Loryn's features homey décor, a breakfast bar with stools, and value-oriented breakfast and lunch specials. Plus they do catering for everything from weddings to wine tastings, bridal showers to birthday parties.

Says the former executive chef at Gary's Wine & Marketplace, "I always wanted my own café, I just had to wait till I found the perfect space." It's an area she knows well: after growing up in Madison, Loryn returned there to raise her daughter, Isabel, after living in Maine for several years.

Display cases showcase an array of appealing dishes, from succulent flank steak to bright green asparagus glistening with olive oil + lemon. There's spicy salsa, crunchy coleslaw, and chicken pot pie that's so good, she can't take it off the menu. Save room for dessert!

Chef Loryn’s Chocolate Chip Cookies are customer faves, though Banana Bread runs a close second. Notes Loryn proudly, "Everything here is made from scratch."

This dedicated e-mail was written for NJ My Way readers by Diaz-Schloss Communications, food and restaurant marketers based in Montclair.

Milk Money

It’s hard to find a parent who hasn’t stood in their child’s closet and said: “I can’t believe I paid so much for that and he only wore it once” or “I paid all that money for this and it doesn’t even fit her anymore!”

But there is a solution whether it’s to earn back some of the money or snag a bargain on designer threads-- Milk Money.
Started in 1999 by Maplewood moms Danna Hunking and Jennifer Weiss-Wolf, Milk Money is celebrating a decade of offering recycling children’s goods and giving moms and kids a place to shop and play!
This truly unique consignment store is also a franchise with 6 locations in NJ and NY including the Princeton location where consignment stores are giving boutiques some recession friendly competition.
“Because of the economy, we’re getting more shoppers who would normally spend the money on new or designer clothing,” said Gina G’Adamo, owner of the Princeton store. “And that means we’re getting a lot more designer labels in exchange. People figure if they can make some money off the barely used clothing, why not!”
Browsing the racks, you’re sure to find brands like Patagonia, Rothschild, Ralph Lauren, The Gap and even Burberry. Children’s books of various reading levels line the brightly colored shelves and while the space is limited, there’s plenty of room for recycled toys, strollers and shoes!
Milk Money stores are more than just a place to swap and shop. The original Maplewood location and Morristown store provide an extra playroom for kids proving that this is not just a shop, it’s a childhood experience.




This NJ My Way article was written by Managing Editor Hilary Morris of www.mrsmonj.com.

Shopping Cart

From north to south, En Jay women are twittering about cool, fun shopping events this week. In Livingston on Wednesday night, you trade your used jeans for new, and support a good cause.
Donate a pair of your gently used jeans, and get 20% off your purchase of a new pair at Complements Two’s Denim And Diamonds event. Representatives from designer jean makers and Jennifer Zauner jewelry will help you shape your new look.
Enjoy treats from Nutley’s Stuffed Cupcakes and Millburn’s Restaurant MC. Your used jeans will be donated to the Goodwill Rescue Mission of Newark. Tell them you are coming by dropping a note to rsvp@thehipevent.com or (973)707-7125.
Down south, round up your gal pals and head to the Cherry Hill Mall on Friday, where career expert and author Nicole Williams (Girl On Top) is hosting a gathering with cocktails and job seeking advice, and deep discounts on “interview” clothing.  RSVP: http://girlontopbook.com/tour.

Two more events for shopaholics:
You know it’s officially holiday season when the Zimmerli Museum at Rutgers opens its annual Holiday Boutique. Loads of great crafts and unique gifts beginning on Wednesday
And the nice ladies from Chris Christie’s hometown of Mendham are reminding us about their 10th Annual Holiday Boutique at the Brookside Community Club on Saturday . You might just satisfy your longing for a new Longaberger!

A Case For Paper

Everyone knows that Twitter, Facebook and Blog are the must-have tools to make an impact with friends, customers, and clients. So why is one New Jersey company sticking to pen on paper and snail-mail to create relationships? Robbinsville based ClientHooks, specializes in the old fashioned practice of sending personalized greeting cards. The company makes personalized greeting cards for businesses and sales professionals to build customer relationships. ClientHooks does exactly what the name says: it hooks clients and builds relationships with something as simple as a card. “Old fashion thoughtfulness is hard to find these days,” said owner Melissa Denisco-Morici. “It’s just easier for people to send a text, e-card or e-mail but it just doesn’t have the same impact.” Businesses who use ClientHooks can choose from an assortment of holiday and occasional card designs, vibrant envelope colors and seasonal stamps to ensure that they will be on their customer’s mind. Working with her own clients to design card campaigns is what Melissa enjoys the most about her job. “Hands down the best part of my job are my clients. I can make my business fun and creative because I get to know their personalities and become more like a member of their in house marketing team.” While email and Twitter are quick, relatively simple and free, Melissa says customers still appreciate friendly gestures and personal greetings whether it’s in a holiday card, birthday greetings or unexpected Valentine’s Day card. A paper greeting card may not be the speediest form of communication, but in the long run, it may be the most memorable. This sponsored article was written on behalf of ClientHooks, LLC. by NJ My Way.

Mamma Mia

Food: Old World Italian Got a hankerin’ for Southern Italian food made with love? Make your way to Guerriero's in Morristown for a taste of the old country. This is authentic Southern Italian "momma making the gravy" restaurant. You will be bringing a few bottles of Nero d’Avola or a nice old Barolo for this rib-sticking, "memories are made of this" example of cooking. The restaurant is a BYOB like many in the immediate area. A "family-friendly" gathering place-where, “everyone knows your name” is set in a historic old Morristown grocery store that retains the buzz and energy of its glorious history. The atmosphere is friendly and eager to help, from the gal taking names for the “many hour waiting list on a Saturday night” at the door to guys who fill the water glasses. The menu reads well with delicacies gleaned from family recipes that according to the owner are "over 100 years old." Highlights of my meal included three gigantic "roasted in gravy" meatballs served simply on the plate--rich and comprised of long cooked meats and sparked by another dollop of the excellent house-made meat infused gravy. My wife enjoyed a special of the day comprised of a large portion of perfectly seared and pan roasted St. Peter's fish with escarole and savory white beans. Take care not to overfill yourself on the always - refilled Semolina Grain bread basket or the excellent amuse-bouche - slow cooked white beans on toasts with meltingly soft, sweet roasted garlic, olive oil and herbs. You'll want to make room in your stomach for the more ample portions of Guerriero’s family recipes including the pasta dishes, especially the Rigatoni ala Guerriero’s. If you are still hungry their desserts do not disappoint with an excellent, “not too sweet”, Italian Ricotta Cheesecake as our choice. Coffee is served steaming hot and freshly prepared, short pulls of espresso are available. The restaurant only accepts cash or checks, but several banks with ATM's are within a 30 second stroll. Come prepared to eat well and leave full and happy. This NJ My Way article was written by Wild River Review contributing editor, Warren Bobrow grew up on a farm in Morristown, NJ. His website is: www.wildriverreview.com/wildtable

An Arty Party

A special invitation to friends of NJ Savvy Living!

You are invited to an Art Opening at Furbish Home, a designer showroom with all kinds of eclectic accessories and furniture.

WHAT: Wine and cheese opening reception for artist Nancy Tobin

WHEN: Saturday, November 14, 2009, 6:30 – 8:30 pm

WHERE: Furbish Home, 315C Millburn Avenue, Millburn, NJ

WHY: A glass of wine and great art is the best way to start off a Saturday night!

Can't make it? The exhibit will be on view at Furbish through December 7, 2009.

ABOUT NANCY TOBIN: Like the fantastic imagined landscapes she creates, Nancy Tobin has constructed her career in layers: varied but consistent in its commitment to form, technique and process.

Following the path open to the youngest child in a blue-collar family, she parlayed a degree in commercial art into a successful career as an award-winning graphic designer and children’s book illustrator.

Tobin moved to San Francisco (where she studied painting at the San Francisco Art Institute), then relocated to the New York area in 2001.

Since her move to the New York area, Nancy's painting career has taken flight. She has had solo and group exhibitions in galleries and museums across the country, including: The Urban Institute for Contemporary Art in Michigan, Orange County Center for Contemporary art in California, Rutgers University and The Pierro Gallery in New Jersey.

Sugar Coated

Saturday, November 14th Gingerbread House Demonstration Time: 12pm. Free with park admission. Join Peter Max Dierkes, Rat’s Restaurant Pastry Chef for a special “how to” gingerbread house demonstration. Dierkes will amaze you with his sweet sculptural techniques! The Grounds for Sculpture

Saturday, November 14th Gingerbread House Workshop Time: 1:30pm. Celebrate the holidays and learn this edible tradition. Combine gingerbread, frosting, candy, cookies and more to make your one- of-a-kind house. Bring your own icing spatula and pastry tips. Recommended for ages 10 and up. Price: $20 Members; $25 Non-Members. To register, please call (609) 586-0616. Use this workshop as a stepping stone for our 5th Annual Gingerbread House Contest. Sculpt your own creative confection and win prizes awarded onNovember 28 at our annual Holiday Tree Lighting and Lights On! celebration. Children, Adult and Family categories. For complete rules, please visit our website after November 1.

Dieci Lifestyle Spa is bringing together the artistic talent of hair artists, stylists,and colorists and mixing it with fabulous fashion to create a runway show like you have never seen all in the name of breast cancer.

After the show, shop exclusive designers and
a portion of the proceeds will be donated to
SUSAN G. KOMEN FOR A CURE NORTH JERSEY

Park Avenue Club
184 Park Avenue
Florham Park, NJ 07032

Tuesday, November 10, 2009
6:30 PM to 9:30PM
Ticket Price: $75 per person

Ticket price includes open bar,
hors d'oeuvres and seat at the show.
To purchase
tickets please visit
www.diecispa.com/scratch-the-surface.html

Winning Wings

When a food is chosen by Rachael Ray as “Snack of the Day,” you know it’s something special and delish!

The honor was bestowed upon Boonton-based The Mediterranean Snack Food Company  and their healthy alternative to the Buffalo Wing: Buffalo Nickel Wingers. 

The crispy potato wing snack was developed by company owner and former “Buffalo-ian” Vincent James in order to give partygoers a healthier choice with the same great hot and fiery flavor. The Wingers come with a heat index ranging from Level 1, No Bull Barbecue, to Level 5, the signature flavor, a fiery hot sauce with hint of bleu cheese called Fiery Buffalo Bleu.  

So how did the BNWingers fare with their wing loving critics?

“Hot wing lovers instantly smile upon seeing the shape of the snack,” said co-owner Katharine O’Hara.  “It was a great idea whose time had come. When snack lovers learn of the healthy benefits in terms of ingredients, fat and calories; it strengthens their love for Wingers.”

With only 120 calories and 4 grams of fat per 25 wingers versus the staggering 1050 calories and 72 grams of fat per 15 of the original, the BNWingers won’t replace the popular bar food but they can lighten up any party menu and are never short on taste when paired with complimentary sauces like salsa, bleu cheese and extra spicy dips.    

And it should come as no surprise that the BNWingers are quite popular during Football, March Madness and even the Super Bowl.  Spirited sports fans quickly become loyal followers of Buffalo Nickel Wingers and O’Hara, James and company love to accept recipes, fan photos and flavor suggestions. 

“We are thrilled to be in communication with our fans. It reminds us why we developed the snack.”

Fans can join the BNWinger team on Twitter, @BNWingers, and Facebook: facebook.com/buffalonickelwingers.

New Kids on the Shop

It’s not even Thanksgiving but it’s the holiday shopping season in the New Jersey malls. From decked out trees to glittery tees, it’s all about glitz, glam and luxe for holiday gift giving. 

From now through November 25^th, The Mall at Short Hills (www.shopshorthills.com ) wants to make holiday shopping easier for you. With any purchase of $250 or more in mall cards, you get a $20 card too!  Give the gift of choice this year-one size fits all!

When you arrive, let us suggest two new shopping destinations:

It may be over 100 years old, but it’s New York at its best. Henri Bendel ( www.henribendel.com ) opened its only New Jersey location in September and can offer something for any level of Bendel girl with prices starting around $30.  

Choose from their vibrant enamel bangles and rocker chic jewelry or get a pair of smooth-like-butter fingerless driving gloves.  For your holiday journeys pick up a  signature Bendel striped travel case or hit the cocktail circuit with a sleek metallic clutch. 

Around the corner is the highly anticipated first En Jay  Vince store (www.vince.com ), which offers separates in neutral colors, and quality fabrics like cotton, cashmere and suedes.  

With a price point starting around $95 for their cotton Henleys, Vince makes investment pieces that can be worn in casual or professional environments in  fabrics will last. 

And they operate on the philosophy of “if it fits, get it in multiple colors.” While Vince offers both men and women’s clothing, you can arm a male recipient-who may have some matching challenges- with a Short Hills card and send him to Vince knowing he can’t go wrong. 

Better yet, send him to pick up your holiday gift at either Bendel or Vince .You can thank us later.